Roger Clemens is doing the right things these days in his defense from the steroid charges contained in the Mitchell report. His presence at a pitching mini-camp for Houston prospects last week was a class act. That Feb. 13 congressional hearing in Washington is headed toward carnival proportions.
The Phillies made a good move by signing third baseman Pedro Feliz to a two-year contract. He’s an upgrade over the Wes Helms-Greg Dobbs platoon, and gives manager Charlie Manuel a chance to use Helms and Dobbs in different ways. Philly’s third basemen were last in the NL with 66 runs scored and third-to-last with 76 RBIs. … The Phillies and Mets could wind up in a bidding war for Kyle Lohse. He has remained unsigned because he insists on a five-year deal when three appears generous.
The Braves aren’t encouraged about signing Mark Teixeira to a contract that will keep him off the free-agent market. He would be awfully attractive to several teams, including the Yankees and Orioles, who view him as a hometown hero. … He agreed to a one-year, $12.5 million deal for 2008 but could be seeking one of those supersized, $20 million-a-year deals when agent Scott Boras shops him as a free agent. … Speaking of Boras, he appears to have done some amazing damage control with the Jose Canseco-Magglio Ordonez situation, focusing attention in Detroit on Canseco’s sleaziness rather than the question of whether the popular right fielder could have tried steroids or human growth hormone.
Scott Podsednik will need a good spring to win a roster spot with Colorado. The Rockies view him primarily as a base-stealing reserve and he hasn’t been able to keep his legs healthy since the first half of 2005.
Give the Indians credit for a good risk in signing Jorge Julio to a minor-league contract. The former Baltimore closer pitched pretty well in a secondary role for Colorado last year. He joins Japanese import Masahide Kobayashi in adding depth to an already good bullpen in front of closer Joe Borowski.
